PREVALENCE OF ANTIBODY TO HEPATITIS A VIRUS IN OKINAWA AND KYUSHU, JAPAN

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Abstract
Between 1968 and 1981, a total of 1955 serum samples from healthy subjects chosen at random in seven districts of Okinawa and two districts of Kyushu were surveyed for antibody to hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV) by radioimmunoassay. Overall prevalence of anti-HAV was 55.1% in Okinawa and 35.9% in Kyushu. Prevalence of less than 10% was observed in subjects ≤14 years of age in Okinawa and ≤24 years of age in Kyushu. in three of the districts of Okinawa, second serum samples were collected after Intervals of eight, 10, and 12 years, respectively. Overall prevalence of anti-HAV decreased significantly over these time periods. When the age-specific prevalence of anti-HAV on the first occasion is compared with that on the second occasion, it can be seen that there have been few new cases of hepatitis A infection. These data suggest that hepatitis A infection among children has declined dramatically in recent years, and that young people may be highly susceptible to hepatitis A virus.

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